Elegance

This is my new desktop image on my PC. I found this website Artophile and while it doesn't have the large gallery that the other art sites I frequent have, it does have a lot of very nice (and tough to find) hi-res images of 20s /30s fashion illustration which I find to be mucho nifty. When I think of the word "elegance" it always brings to mind one of these old etchings by Erte or Georges Barbier (Usually Barbier....Erte, I'm actually not all that fond of) -- tall, thin chicks in diamonds & drop waisted frocks...sometimes accompanied by an Afghan hound.

I picked this particular pic because of the mysterious backstory. Here we have something going on-- it's not someone simply standing there, exuding elegance, whilest sporting the latest fashions. I've ascertained that they're at some sort of revels being staged at a fantastically rich (possibly titled) person's country estate. They've made the tennis courts a makeshift stage and set up a tent for the audience. Isn't that so terrific, how rich people of yore used to do that shit?? Like when they "entertained" for a weekend, they weren't just bandying that word about in vain. They would have an acting troupe perform a private play OR even quainter...they would take it upon themselves to stage "amateur theatricals". Or go on a fox hunt and have grand formal picnics. Siiiigh! How wonderfully classy. Feels sometimes as if I was born in the wrong era /socio-economic class / country ....

ANYHOODLE, back to the drawing in question -- my coworker Lisa disputes the country estate part of my theory, she thinks this crowd is in an amphitheatre. But look at those chairs and tell me that's the seating of a bona fide amphitheatre!! Come on! Those are obviously borrowed from the formal dining room of Viscount Somebodyorother, right??
Now, the couple in the foreground , why are they ignoring the performance? What up above them, has snared their attention? My immediate guess is that the duo has spied a bat clinging to the tent ceiling. I think it a true testament to their utter elegance (internal as well external) that they appear so nonchalant about this sighting. Were I the elegant madam in this scenario, you can bet your Afghan hound that I would NOT be gesticulating with my silken fan..NOOO, I would use it to cover my noggin as I dove for the ground. I have a scary history of indoor bat encounters. Perhaps that's why I immediately conclude that these people are staring upwards at a bat. I suppose it could be a rip in the tent or a UFO , who the hell knows? Feel free to share your theories if any overtake ya...